Method and apparatus for mounting hair

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for mounting hair to a human head. In one embodiment, holes are formed in the scalp and U-shaped anchors are surgically embedded into the scalp with the ends of each anchor protruding out of the scalp. A mesh screen having hair mounted thereto is then attached to the anchors. In another embodiment, an incision is made through the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the scalp down to and through the periosteum. The periosteum is then separated from the skull and the base of an implant is positioned between the periosteum and skull. The body of the implant tapers from the base to the top - which protrudes from the scalp to which connection with a hair piece may be made.

United States Patent [191 Widdifield METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTINGHAIR [76] Inventor: Garth E. Widdifield, 532 Turtle Creek, North Dr.,Indianapolis, Ind. 46227 [22] Filed: July 31, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:276,328

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.60,382, Aug. 3,

I970, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 128/1, 3/1, 128/330 [51] Int. Cl.... A61b 17/00, A61b 17/18,A6ld 1/00 [58] Field of Search 3/1; 128/92 BB, 92 D, 1 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,621,837 ll/l97l Gindes;3/l 3,694,819 l0/l972 Meyer 3,374,786 3/1968 Callender, Jr. 128/92 BB3,643,658 2/1972 Steinemenan 128/92 D [111 3,811,425 May 21, 1974Primary Examiner-Channing L. Pace Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodard,Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus formounting hair to a human head. In one embodiment, holes are formed inthe scalp and U-shaped anchors are surgically embedded into the scalpwith the ends of each anchor protruding out of the scalp. A mesh screenhaving hair mounted thereto is then attached to the anchors. In anotherembodiment, an incision is made through the skin and subcutaneoustissues of the scalp down to and through the periosteum. The periosteumis then separated from the skull and the base of an implant ispositioned between the periosteum and skull. The body of the implanttapers from the base to the top which protrudes from the scalp to whichconnection with a hair piece may be made.

3 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY21 1914 I sum 1 0F 3 METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR MOUNTING HAIR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part application of my earlier U. S.patent application, Ser. No. 60,382, filed Aug. 3, 1970 and entitledMethod and Apparatus for Mounting Hair", now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention isthe apparatus, and the method of securing the apparatus as a means forthe attachment of hair to a human head.

2. Description of the Prior Art Few ways have been devised to attachhair to the human head. Jenkins in U. S. Pat. No. 3,280,826 showed anapparatus for attaching wefts of hair directly to hair growing from thescalp but this was mostly confined to the long flowing hair of women.Mielzynski in U. S. Pat. No. 3,003,155 described the insertion of metaldarts (containing tufts of hair) directly into the scalp. Here, the bodyextruded the darts and the technique was turned to doll heads. Morerecently the process of hair-weaving has appeared. Here, a nylon net isstretched over the bald area and strands of the wearers hair are usedfor tying the net in place. To the nylon net is attached wefts of hairthat can be combed into the wearers remaining hair thus concealing thebald area. The major problem here is that a certain amount of fringe andfrontal hair are necessary for the attachment. The overwhelmingdisadvantage, though, lies in the fact that the hair, to which theprosthesis is attached, is continually growing, loosening the prosthesisday by day thus requiring frequent, time consuming, expensivetightenings.

Then there are adhesives of one type or another. The pitfalls ofadhesives are numerous. They can promote irritation and eczema. Theyleave gummy, sticky residues when removed. They are loosened by water,wind, sweat, natural body oils, and lateral pressures occuring whilesleeping. Adhesives are probably the most widely used method ofattachment and yet the wearer cannot be confident that his hairpiecewill remain in place while exercising, while in bed, while in wind, hothumid weather, etc.

Then Bauman disclosed an interesting method in U. 5. Pat. No. 3,553,737.Here, stainless steel sutures are sewed into the soft tissues of thescalp either as a continuous suture around the periphery of the baldarea or as a series of closed loops around the same periphery. A nylonnet was placed over the bald area and tied to the sutures protrudingabove the scalp. Wefted hair was then sewed onto the net to be combedinto the wearers own hair, and styled. This process simulated hairweaving except for the fact that the hair prosthesis was tied toembedded sutures rather than growing hair, eliminating the problem ofperiodic adjustments. But, many problems developed. The sutures aroundthe periphery, together with the net, acted as a dam to the naturaldrainage of sweat, oil, dandruff, soaps, etc., creating a caking inthese areas impossible to clean. The many openings into the scalp by thein and out penetrations of the sutures created many portals ofinfection. The major problem, though, was the fact that when in surfacewith loss of the prosthesis and subsequent scarring, and disfigurement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of this invention is a methodand apparatus for mounting a hair piece to a human head. Stainless steelanchors are embedded into the fatty portion and through the dermis ofthe human scalp with ends protruding from the scalp for attachment tothe hair mounting base. The method of inserting the anchors into thescalp requires the scalp to be scrubbed, marked, and anesthetized. Holesare surgically punched into the scalp dermis for receiving the anchorsand an antibiotic ointment is placed around the anchor sites after thesurgery. A mesh screen or a toupee base is then attached to the anchors.

Another embodiment of the present invention is the physiologically inertimplant having an outwardly extending base and a body which tapers fromthe base to the top is inserted into the incision. The base of theimplant is positioned between the periosteum and the skull with the tipof the implant protruding from the scalp. To this a hair piece may beconnected.

It is one object to provide apparatus that does not depend upon thepresence of remaining hair around the area to be covered.

It is another object to provide apparatus which eliminates the need forexpensive periodic tightening and adjusting as in hair-weaving.

It is another object ot provide apparatus which eliminates the need foranchors" sutured into the scalp.

Another object is to provide by the rigid fixed implanted apparatus theelimination of sutures embedded into the scalp with their knife-likeaction resulting in pain, infection, extrusion, and scarring.

It is another object to provide apparatus for the attachment of hairwhich eliminates the need for adhesives.

It is another object to provide apparatus to which a hair piece can beattached and remain, with absolute security from detachment, under anyand all conditions.

Another object is to provide apparatus from which a hair piece can beremoved by the wearer, at will, in privacy, and without expense for thepurpose of cleaning, repairing, replacement, etc. and, yet, whenreattached be absolutely secure.

Another object is to provide apparatus to which the wearers present hairpiece or a new hair piece (either factory or custom made), with slightmodification, can be permanently attached.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fixed, rigid implantwhich is locked in place by the natural growth of fibrous tissue overand around the implant, providing maximum strength, stability, andpermanence which is in contrast to suture anchors (which are embeddedinto soft, mobile tissues of the scalp and are eventually extruded).

It is anotherobject to provide a physiologically dynamic implant whichpromotes tissue closure around the exterior portion of the implant thuspreventing and eliminating open portals of infection as seen in anchorsutures.

It is another object to provide an implant that by the nature of itsrigid attachment eliminate the pain occurring with the to and fropulling tension of the suture anchors.

It is another object to provide a means of attaching hair to the scalpwith a minimum of portals into the scalp thus eliminating multiple scardeformities to the scalp and further reducing portals of infection.

Another object is to provide apparatus for hair application that iscomfortable and attractive.

Another object is to provide for hair application that is relativelyinexpensive and eliminating the need for follow up care and its expense.

Related objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ciated parts for fastening the deviceof FIG. 1 or FIG.

8 to a person's scalp.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a cutting tool used to embed theanchor of FIG. 3 in a persons scalp.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged framentary section of a scalp with the anchorof-FIG. 3 embedded.

FIG. 6 is a .top view of a hair piece forming the hair part. 7

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section. taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 andviewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a toupee base anchored to a scalp by the anchorof FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a persons head with the preferred embodiment ofan anchor attached thereto incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the anchors shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the scalp of FIG. 9with the anchor of FIG. 10 positioned therein.

FIGS. 12 through 14 are side views of various threaded members which arereceived by the anchor of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purpose of promoting anunderstanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now bemade to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specificlanguage will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless beunderstood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is therebyintended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrateddevice, and such further applications of the principles of the inventionas illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. I, there is illustrated a meshscreen I0 made from stainless steel wires, such as surgical suture sizeO Q6 gauge), welded together in such a manner so as to conform to thetop of a person 5 head. Toachieve the desired con figuration of meshscreen 10, a plaster mold of the top of the head is made using plasterimpregnated gauze. The cavity formed by the plaster impregnated gauze isthen sprayed subsequent to drying with a suitable release agent such aspolytetrafluoroethylene. A silicone foam is then poured into the cavityformed by the configured plaster gauze and allowed to dry. The plastergauze may then be separated from the solidified silicone foam resultingin a foam shaped object duplicating the contour of the scalp. Thestainless steel wires used to construct mesh screen 10 may then beplaced over the form shaped object and the wires may be welded together.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the mesh screen 10 as it is positioned onto aperson s head or scalp. The dashed lines as well as the solid linesrepresent stainless steel wires. The dashed lines are wires used to holdthe wire mesh screen together and are not used for attachment of hair.The solid lines are wires used to hold the screen together and to alsoattach hair to the mesh screen. For example,'wire 17 extends around themajor portion of screen 10 from point 18 via point 21 to point I9 whereit is welded to wire 29. Wire I7 is also welded to wire 27 at point 18and to other wires between points 18 and I9. Wire 27 in turn is weldedto wire 46 at point 28. Wire 46 is also welded to wire 29 at point 45.Both wires 17 and 46 are utilized to attach hair thereto and areillustrated as solid lines. Wire 17 is welded to many other wires as itextends around the back 16 of the mesh screen. Likewise, wire 46 iswelded to many other wires as it extends around the front I5 of the meshscreen. An example of a support wire which is not utilized to attachhair thereto is wire 23 which extends across the mesh screen beingwelded to wire 17 at points 24 and 25. Wire 23 is welded to many otherwires, such as wire 20 which extends from the back 16 of mesh screen 10to the front 15 of mesh screen 10. As shown in FIG. 1, wire 20 is weldedto wire 17 at point 21 and is also welded to wire 46 at point 22. Wire20 is shown as a solid line and as a dashed line in FIG. 1. Thus, wire20 would be used to attach hair thereto when the wire is only shown assolid.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mesh screen shown in FIG. I and moreparticularly shows the mesh screen as it is positioned on head 11. Acutout 26 is provided at the lower edge of mesh screen 10 toward thefront 15 so as to realistically simulate the normal hair line. Ofcourse, cutout 26 is positioned on either side of head 11 at the front15 of the mesh screen. Prior to installing the mesh screen on a scalp,and subsequent to welding. the mesh screen is grit blasted with aluminumoxide grits. The grit blasting produces surface roughness on theindividual wires with a profile in excess of I00 micro inches suitablefor bonding with polytetrafluoroethylene. The roughened mesh work isthen sprayed with polytetrafluoroethylene using a pressure gun at adistance of four to 6 inches with an atomizing pressure of 25 to 30pounds. The sprayed polytetrafluoroethylene is then baked and sinteredon the mesh screen improving the corrosion resistance of the screen. Ofcourse, the sprayed coating is applied only to the wires and does notcover the space between the wires. As a result, the

open mesh work allows for ventilation of the scalp and also allows anygrowing hair to emerge through the mesh work to be incorporated into theattached hair. The coating on the wires also provides for easy cleaningdue to the superior anti-stick qualities of polytetralluoroethylene. Thecompleted mesh screen is then attached to the scalp. The attachmentmethod is to embed anchors into the scalp. FIG. 3 shows a perspectiveview of one embodiment of the anchor. Anchor 30 is U-shaped and has amiddle portion 31 integrally connected to upstanding tubes 32 and 33which have threaded holes 34 and 35 for threadedly receiving caps 36 and37.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross section of a portion of a scalp 50 showinganchor 30 embedded therein. Portion 31 of anchor 30 extends into thefatty portion 52 of the scalp whereas members 32 and 33 extend upthrough dermis 51. Anchor 30 does not extend into the muscle 53 or skull54. Of course, anchor 30 would be inserted or embedded in the scalpunder strict surgical procedures. The person to receive the anchors isrequested to shampoo his hair with surgical soap on the night beforesurgery. A hexachlorophene soap is used to scrub the scalp and thepatient is draped to insure a clean field. Sites for the anchors aremarked with a sterile indelible pen on the scalp at the perimeter of thebald area and the sites are then anesthetized, applying the anestheticwith a 30 G needle or compressed air jet stream. The anesthetic controlsboth the pain and the bleeding. A dermal punch or burr, smaller indiameter than the anchor tube, is then used to form entrance and exitholes through the dermis.

The end of anchor 30 (FIG. 3) having tool 40 (FIG. 4) threaded thereonis inserted into the opening in the dermis and down into fatty portion52 (FIG. 5) and back up through dermis 51 to the position as shown inFIG. 5. Tool 40 is unthreaded from anchor 30 and caps 36 and 37 arethreaded into both ends of the anchor. Antibiotic ointment is then usedto cover the surgical sites after insertion of all of the anchors.

Anchors 30 are made from stainless steel 3 l 6L which is inert in thehuman body and resistant to corrosion. Other inert substances which maybe substituted for the stainless steel are gold alloys, titanium,polytetrafluoroethylene coated metal or certain plastic. As in earpiercing, the channel formed by the anchor epithelializes, creating apermanent sinus track thereby allowing the anchor to be removed orreplaced. The size of the track tends to prevent the formation ofkeratin granulomate.

Caps 36 and 37 have holes 38 and 39 (FIG. 3) extending through theirtops. After anchor 30 is embedded into the scalp and caps 36 and 37 arethreaded into the anchor body, holes 38 and 37 are aligned for receivingwire 41. Wire 41 is inserted through the holes and is welded at eitherend to caps 36 and 37 on the patient. The anchor is then completelyready for receiving mesh screen (FIG. 1) or base 70 (FIG. 8). A piece ofnylon or similar thread is used to tie wire 41 to the mesh screen orbase. For example. a piece of nylon thread may be wrapped around wire 41and wire 17 of mesh screen 10 (FIG. 1). Approximately eight to l2anchors are embedded in the scalp around the perimeter of the meshscreen for attachment of the permanent mesh screen arrangement. Onlyfour anchors are embedded in the scalp for attachment of the base shownin FIG. 8.

In addition to attaching hair to the mesh screen 10, a hair piecesimulating the part is attached to the mesh screen. For example, hairpiece 60 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is tied to the mesh screen. Hair piece 60 has acrown 61 integrally attached to portion 62 which simulates the part 63of the hair. The base 65 of hair piece 60 is made from sheetpolytetrafluoroethylene having a thickness of 0.010 to 0.015 inches.Base 65 has holes for looping hairs 64 through and also has holes 66located around its periphery for receiving nylon thread to tie to thewires of mesh screen 10. The bottom surface of base 65 is roughened oretched prior to looping the hairs through the base. A neoprene phenolicis applied to the bottom etched surface after the hairs are loopedthrough the base, thereby enmeshing the hair; A second piece of sheetpolytetrafluoroethylene, not shown, identical in configuration to base65 and having a roughened top surface is placed in contact with thephenolic bond securely locking the hair into position.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate base for attachment of hair. A toupee base 70is contoured to fit the scalp and is made from polypropylene having athickness of 0.020 inches. A plaster mold is first made of the person'sscalp using conventional techniques. The mold is then dried and sprayedwith a release agent such as polytetrafluoroethylene and plaster ofparis is poured into the mold and allowed to harden and dry. Thehardened plaster mold is placed in a standard vacuum forming apparatuswhere a sheet of hot pliable polypropylene is set over the plaster cast.The vacuum forming apparatus forces the hot sheet over the plaster castthereby contouring the sheet to the scalp. Openings are cut into thecontoured polypropylene base such as is illustrated in FIG. 8. Openings78 allow ventilation to the scalp with ring 71 being integrally joinedto cross struts 72, 73 and 74. The polypropylene dome is then sent to atoupee maker for incorporation into a conventionally made toupee. Toupeebase 70 when attached to a toupee is then fastened to the scalp by meansof flat springs and 76 extending over and resting on struts 73 and 74.Of course, the hair would cover the springs. As may be seen from FIG. 8,only four anchors 30 are utilized for securing base 70 to the scalp.Anchors 30 are identical to those described previously. The ends ofsprings 74 and 75 are looped around wires 41 of anchors 30 securing base70 to the scalp.

Many variations of the above disclosed items are included-andcontemplated by the present invention. For example, anchor 30 is shownin FIG. 3 threadedly receiving the male portion of caps 36 and 37. Ofcourse, it would be possible to thread the external surfaces of tubes 32and 33 for receiving a complementary threaded female portion on the endof caps 36 and 37. Likewise, it is possible to glue the caps to theanchor in lieu of engagement by threads. It is also possible to machineone end of anchor 30 thereby integrally forming'a cap. In this lattercase only one end of anchor 30 would receive a separate cap. In lieu ofproviding holes through the heads of 36 and 37, the heads of caps 36 and37 could be configured as rings. Anchors 30 may be made from round wire,rectangular wire or hollow tubing. Of course, it is also possible todelete caps 36 and 37 and to instead have the ends of anchor 30 solidwith holes for receiving the nylon thread for securing the anchor to themesh screen. Another variation of anchor 30 is to hingedly mount a barto one end of the anchor and to connect the free end of the bar to theopposite anchor endby means of a pin.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIGS.9 through 14 wherein a persons head 100 having scalp 101 is providedwith three identical implants 102, 103 and 104 in a triangular pattern.Of course, a number other than three implants may be utilized in variouspatterns for practicingthe invention.

Implant 104 will now be described it being understood that a similardescription applies to implants 102 and 103. Implant 104 has a main body105 configured as a truncated cone which tapers from an enlarged endmounted atop base 106 to a reduced end 108. Base 106 is flat and thinand has a plurality of radially extending spaced apart arms with one ormore arms having apertures 107 for receiving bone screws 107 forsecuring the anchor to the skull. The anchor 104 has a threaded hole 109extending through the top end 108 for receiv ing the threaded shank 118,122 or 125 of screws 117, 121, or 124.

In the illustration of FIG. 9, there is shown in perspective, the headof an individual whose central portion of scalp is without hair. Itmakes little difference to this method whether the individual supplieshis present hair piece, or a custom made hair piece is made for him,inasmuch as any hair piece can be modified for use with this invention.in either event, the bald area of his scalp is carefully surveyed andexamined, and the sites of implantation are ascertained. These sites aredetermined by their strategic location in resisting the constant lateralshearing pressure which is associated with reclining or sleepingpositions, as well as the anteroposterior pressures of wind, combing,etc.

After the sites of implantation have been determined, the services of amedicaldoctor are required. The doctor prepares the skin ll6'bythoroughly cleansing the area, followed by skin antisepsis. The subjectshead is draped with sterile draping, and under aseptic techniques, theareas to be incised are anesthetized with a local anesthetic. Anincision approximately 1 and onehalf inches in length isthen madethrough the skin 116, subcutaneous dense connective tissue 110,aponeurosis lll, loose connective tissue "2 and finally through theperiosteum 113. The periosteum 113 is then separated from its attachmentto the skull'bone 114 by means of a periosteal elevator.

The base 106 of the implant is thereafter positioned between theperiosteum 113 and the skull bone 114. This being accomplished, theincision is closed by suturing. Theabove steps are repeated in theplacing of the other implants and the hair piece is then connected tothe protruding top implant ends.

The implants are composed of pure titanium, or other physiologicallyinert material which is compatible with human tissue. The main body 105is in the shape of a smooth truncated cone. If in the .opinion of thedoctor additional support is advisable, then a bone screw 107' can bescrewed through hole 107 in the base 106 of the implant directly intothe skull bone 114. This additional support is generally not neededsince the base of the implant is locked into place withv the passage oftime due to the reattachment of the periosteum over and around theimplant base thus creating a fixed and rigid attachment to the head anactual extension of the skull itself.

' 8 -The conical shape of the body of the implant insures the epidermisof the scalp will not invaginate (turn inward toward the base of theimplant) but will cause the epidermis to act as a sphincter gripping theimplant as the gums grip a tooth. The hair piece may be readily attachedto the protruding top ends of the implants by several means. Member 1 17is threadedly received by hole 109. By inserting a ligature through holeof head 119 and tying the hair piece to this provides for a permanentinstallation Alternatively, interlocking cloth fasteners 123 sold underthe trademark VELCRO (produced by American Velcro, Inc. of 406 BrownAvenue Manchester, New Hampshire 03103) may be attached to the innersurface of the hair piece. A fastener 123 has been laminated to thedisc-like head 124. Member 121 is then threadedly received by hole 109.The hair piece can then be readily attached by pressing the clothfasteners atop the implants and on the hair piece together.

Another alternative includes the attachment of thin metal discs to theinner surface of the hair piece (at position relating to the position ofthe implants when, the hairpiece is in place). Member 125 with a roundpermanent magnet 128 laminated to the disc-like head 127 is thenthreadedly received by hole 109. The hairpiece can then be readilyattached by merely setting in place. Each magnet withstands a pull of 8pounds creating a hair piece able to withstand a total pull of 24pounds. The magnetic field may be broken with another magnet withreversed polarity.

in all cases, the top ends of the implants always protrude from thescalp to receive the threaded members. The implants must therefore beinserted into the opening so the top ends protrude from the scalp. Theopenings are formed in the scalp by slitting and are then closedsubsequent to the positioning of the implant bases between theperiosteum and the skull. The openings are closed by suturing so as toposition the skin'- around and in contact with the anchors.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail inthe drawings and foregoing description, they are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, as other modificationsmay readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art.

The invention claimed is: l. A method of attaching ahair piece to ascalp comprising the steps of: i

forming an incision in said scalp extending through the skin, thesubcutaneous dense connective tissue, aponeurosis, loose connectivetissue and periosteum;

separating said periosteum from the skull;

inserting into said incision an implant having a tapered portion with areduced top end and an enlarged bottom end and having an outwardlyextending base connected to said bottom end; positioning said basebetween said periosteum and skull; closing said incision in said scalpabout said anchor so that said top end protrudes from said scalp; and,connecting said hair piece to said top end. 2. The method of claim 1 andfurther comprising the step subsequent to said positioning step of:

screwing a bone screw through said base into said skull. 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein:

said forming step includes slitting said scalp and said closing stepincludes suturing said incision closed so as to position said skinaround and in contact with the tapered portion of said implant.-

* s i s a I

1. A method of attaching a hair piece to a scalp comprising the stepsof: forming an incision in said scalp extending through the skin, thesubcutaneous dense connective tissue, aponeurosis, loose connectivetissue and periosteum; separating said periosteum from the skull;inserting into said incision an implant having a tapered portion with areduced top end and an enlarged bottom end and having an outwardlyextending base connected to said bottom end; positioning said basebetween said periosteum and skull; closing said incision in said sCalpabout said anchor so that said top end protrudes from said scalp; and,connecting said hair piece to said top end.
 2. The method of claim 1 andfurther comprising the step subsequent to said positioning step of:screwing a bone screw through said base into said skull.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein: said forming step includes slitting said scalp andsaid closing step includes suturing said incision closed so as toposition said skin around and in contact with the tapered portion ofsaid implant.